Electrical panel locking assembly

ABSTRACT

An electrical panel locking assembly includes a first member having first and second ends, and defines a channel extending therein from an opening at the first end. The first member defines at least one hole laterally extending therethrough. The first member includes a first hook extending outwardly from the second end along a central axis of the first member. A second member has third and fourth ends. The third end is received in the opening of the first member for movement along the channel. The second member defines at least one hole laterally extending therethrough. The second member includes a second hook extending outwardly from the fourth end along a central axis of the second member. The second member is movable within the channel such that a hole of the second member is in registration with a hole of the first member to permit access therethrough by a padlock.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to locking mechanisms, and more particularly relates to locking assemblies for use with electrical panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical panels are commonly used to house and protect from exposure electrical fuses or circuit breakers. The panels typically have a door built into the front panel for easy access. Such doors do not always have a lock to protect the panels from unauthorized access. It is desirable to prevent access to the panel from, for example, children because of the danger of electrocution. It is also desirable to prevent unauthorized access to a panel serving a public structure such as a business or apartments. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a mechanism which can be configured to prevent access to electrical panels which do not have built-in locks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, an electrical panel locking assembly includes a first elongated member having first and second longitudinal ends, and defines an inner channel longitudinally extending therein from an opening defined by the first longitudinal end. The first elongated member defines at least one hole laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the first elongated member. The first elongated member includes a first curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the second longitudinal end generally along a central longitudinal axis of the first elongated member for engaging a first end of a front face of an electrical panel. A second elongated member has third and fourth longitudinal ends. The third longitudinal end is to be received in the opening defined in the first longitudinal end of the first elongated member for telescopic movement of the second elongated member in various positions along the inner channel of the first elongated member. The second elongated member defines at least one hole laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the second elongated member. The second elongated member includes a second curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the fourth longitudinal end generally along a central longitudinal axis of the second elongated member for engaging a second end of a front face of an electrical panel. The second elongated member is telescopically movable within the channel of the first elongated member such that the at least one hole of the second elongated member is in registration with the at least one hole of the first elongated member to permit access therethrough by a rigid member such as a padlock to keep the first and second curved members a fixed distance relative to each other and thereby securely coupled to an electrical panel to prevent a door on a front face of the panel from being opened.

In a second aspect of the present invention, an electrical panel locking assembly includes a first elongated member having first and second longitudinal ends, and defines an inner channel longitudinally extending therein from an opening defined by the first longitudinal end. The first elongated member defines a first set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another and laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the first elongated member. The first elongated member includes a first curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the second longitudinal end for engaging a first end of an electrical panel. A second elongated member has third and fourth longitudinal ends. The third longitudinal end is to be received in the opening defined in the first longitudinal end of the first elongated member for adjustable telescopic movement of the second elongated member along the inner channel of the first elongated member. The second elongated member defines a second set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another and laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the second elongated member. The second elongated member includes a second curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the fourth longitudinal end for engaging a second end of an electrical panel. At least one of the first set of holes is in registration with at least one of the second set of holes to permit access therethrough by a rigid member such as a padlock to keep the first and second curved members a fixed distance relative to each other and thereby securely coupled to an electrical panel to prevent a door on a front face of the panel from being opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a disassembled electrical panel locking assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the electrical panel locking assembly of FIG. 1 in a first position.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the electrical panel locking assembly of FIG. 1 in a second position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the electrical panel locking assembly of FIG. 1 in a third position.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the electrical panel locking assembly of FIG. 1 in a fourth position.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the disassembled electrical panel locking assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the electrical panel locking assembly coupled across the door of an electrical panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1-7, an electrical panel locking assembly embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference number 10. The assembly 10 is for securing and locking to a front face of an electrical panel 30 having a door 31 (see FIG. 7) to ensure that the door is not opened to gain access by unauthorized people. The assembly 10 comprises a first elongated member 12 and a second elongated member 14 made of a strong, preferably lightweight material such as, for example, plastic. The first elongated member 12 has first and second longitudinal ends 16,18, and defines an inner channel 20 (see FIG. 6) longitudinally extending therein from an opening 22 defined by the first longitudinal end 16. The first elongated member 12 defines at least one hole 24 laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the first elongated member. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the first elongated member 12 defines first and second holes 24 a, 24 b comprising a first set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another therealong. Although the first elongated member 12 has two holes 24 a, 24 b, it should be understood that the first elongated member can have a fewer or greater number of holes without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first elongated member 12 includes a first curved member 26, preferably in the form of a hook and made of a strong material such as a metal, extending longitudinally outwardly from the second longitudinal end 18 generally along or adjacent to a central longitudinal axis C of the first elongated member for engaging a first end 28 of the electrical panel 30 (see FIG. 7).

As shown in the figures, a side 31 of the first curved member 26 for facing an electrical panel generally forms an extension of a side 33 of the first elongated member 12 for facing the electrical panel. Preferably, the first set of holes 24 extend between sides of the first elongated member 12 that are generally transverse to the side 33 for facing an electrical panel to expose the holes 24 and thereby permit a rigid member such as a padlock to be inserted through one of the holes 24 while the side 33 of the first elongated member is abutted against the electrical panel.

The second elongated member 14 has third and fourth longitudinal ends 32, 34. The third longitudinal end 32 is to be received in the opening 22 defined by the first longitudinal end 16 of the first elongated member 12 for telescopic movement of the second elongated member 14 in various positions along the inner channel 20 of the first elongated member 12. The second elongated member 14 defines at least one hole 36 laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the second elongated member. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the second elongated member 14 defines first, second and third holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c comprising a second set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another therealong. Although the second elongated member 14 has three holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, it should be understood that the second elongated member can have a fewer or greater number of holes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The second elongated member 14 includes a second curved member 38, preferably in the form of a hook and made of a strong material such as a metal, extending longitudinally outwardly from the fourth longitudinal end 34 generally along or adjacent to a central longitudinal axis C of the second elongated member for engaging a second end 40 of the electrical panel 30. The second elongated member 14 is telescopically movable within the channel 20 of the first elongated member 12 such that the at least one hole of the second elongated member is in registration with the at least one hole of the first elongated member to permit access therethrough by a rigid member such as a padlock 42 to keep the first and second curved members 26, 38 a fixed distance relative to each other and thereby securely coupled to the electrical panel 30 to prevent a door on the front face of the panel from being opened. The first and second curved members 26, 38 are located generally along or adjacent to a longitudinal axis C of the first and second elongated members 12, 14 when in an assembled state in order to ensure that the assembly 10 has an overall generally flat profile for easily abutting against and coupling to a front face of an electrical panel.

As shown in the figures, a side 43 of the second curved member 38 for facing an electrical panel generally forms an extension of a side 45 of the second elongated member 14 for facing the electrical panel. Preferably, the second set of holes 36 extend between sides of the second elongated member 14 that are generally transverse to the side 43 for facing an electrical panel to expose the holes 36 and thereby permit a rigid member such as a padlock to be inserted through one of the holes 36 while the side 43 of the second elongated member is abutted against the electrical panel.

In operation, the third longitudinal end 32 of the second elongated member 14 is received within the opening 22 at the first longitudinal end 16 of the first elongated member 12. The second longitudinal member 14 is then telescopically moved within the inner channel 20 of the first longitudinal member 12 to adjust the length of the assembly 10 (i.e., distance between the first and second curved members 26, 38) to conform to the width of the front face of an electrical panel being secured by the assembly. Specifically, the second longitudinal member 14 is then telescopically moved within the inner channel 20 of the first longitudinal member 12 until the first curved member 26 of the first longitudinal member 12 and the second curved member 38 of the second longitudinal member 14 are at a proper distance relative to each other for securing the first curved member 26 to the first end 28 of the electrical panel 30 and for securing the second curved member 38 to the second end 40 of the electrical panel. A padlock 42 is then inserted through one of the first set of holes 24 of the first elongated member 12 and one of the second set of holes 36 of the second elongated member 14 that are in registration with one another. The padlock is then locked to ensure that the curved members 26, 38 be maintained a fixed distance relative to each other and thereby remain securely coupled to the respective ends 28, 40 of the electrical panel 30. The assembly 10 secured to the electrical panel 30 ensures that the front door 31 of the panel is not opened by those unauthorized to access the interior of the electrical panel.

FIGS. 2-5 show the second elongated member 14 at various positions within the inner channel 20 of the first elongated member to accommodate electrical panels of varying widths. With reference to FIG. 2, for example, the second elongated member 14 is positioned within the inner channel 20 of the first elongated member 12 such that the hole 36 a of the second elongated member 14 is in registration with the hole 24 a of the first elongated member 12. The configuration is for securing the locking assembly 10 to an electrical panel having a relatively wide front face.

With reference to FIG. 3, the second elongated member 14 is positioned within the inner channel 20 of the first elongated member 12 such that the hole 36 b of the second elongated member 14 is in registration with the hole 24 a of the first elongated member 12. The configuration is for securing the locking assembly 10 to an electrical panel having a relatively medium width front face.

With reference to FIG. 4, the second elongated member 14 is positioned within the inner channel 20 of the first elongated member 12 such that the hole 36 a of the second elongated member 14 is in registration with the hole 24 b of the first elongated member 12. The configuration is for securing the locking assembly 10 to an electrical panel having a relatively narrower width front face.

With reference to FIG. 5, the second elongated member 14 is positioned within the inner channel 20 of the first elongated member 12 such that the hole 36 c of the second elongated member 14 is in registration with the hole 24 a of the first elongated member 12. The configuration is for securing the locking assembly 10 to an electrical panel having a relatively narrow front face.

As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, numerous modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiment of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the preceding portion of this specification is to be taken in an illustrative, as opposed to a limiting sense. 

1. An electrical panel locking assembly comprising: a first elongated member having first and second longitudinal ends, and defining an inner channel longitudinally extending therein from an opening defined by the first longitudinal end, the first elongated member defining at least one hole laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the first elongated member, and the first elongated member including a first curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the second longitudinal end generally along a central longitudinal axis of the first elongated member for engaging a first end of an electrical panel; and a second elongated member having third and fourth longitudinal ends, the third longitudinal end to be received in the opening defined in the first longitudinal end of the first elongated member for telescopic movement of the second elongated member in various positions along the inner channel of the first elongated member, the second elongated member defining at least one hole laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the second elongated member, the second elongated member including a second curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the fourth longitudinal end generally along a central longitudinal axis of the second elongated member for engaging a second end of an electrical panel, the second elongated member being telescopically movable within the channel of the first elongated member such that the at least one hole of the second elongated member is in registration with the at least one hole of the first elongated member to permit access therethrough by a rigid member such as a padlock to keep the first and second curved members a fixed distance relative to each other and thereby securely coupled to an electrical panel to prevent a door on a front face of the panel from being opened.
 2. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second curved members are each generally in the form of a hook.
 3. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one hole defined by the first longitudinal member includes a set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another such that some of the set of holes are in registration with the at least one hole of the second longitudinal member at various positions of the second longitudinal member along the inner channel of the first elongated member.
 4. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, whereon the at least one hole defined by the second longitudinal member includes a set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another such that some of the set of holes are in registration with the at least one hole of the first longitudinal member at various positions of the second longitudinal member along the inner channel of the first elongated member.
 5. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, whereon the at least one hole defined by the first longitudinal member includes a first set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another, and the at least one hole defined by the second longitudinal member includes a second set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another such that some of the first set of holes are in registration with some of the second set of holes at various positions of the second longitudinal member along the inner channel of the first elongated member.
 6. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated members are each rectangular.
 7. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the second elongated member defines a generally hollow interior.
 8. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated members are generally plastic.
 9. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second curved members are generally metallic.
 10. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first curved member has a side for facing an electrical panel which generally forms an extension of a side of the first elongated member for facing an electrical panel.
 11. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the second curved member has a side for facing an electrical panel which generally forms an extension of a side of the second elongated member for facing an electrical panel.
 12. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one hole defined by the first elongated member and extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side is generally transverse to a side of the first elongated member for facing an electrical panel.
 13. An electrical panel locking assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one hole defined by the second elongated member and extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side is generally transverse to a side of the second elongated member for facing an electrical panel.
 14. An electrical panel locking assembly comprising: a first elongated member having first and second longitudinal ends, and defining an inner channel longitudinally extending therein from an opening defined by the first longitudinal end, the first elongated member defining a first set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another and laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the first elongated member, and the first elongated member including a first curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the second longitudinal end for engaging a first end of an electrical panel; and a second elongated member having third and fourth longitudinal ends, the third longitudinal end to be received in the opening defined in the first longitudinal end of the first elongated member for adjustable telescopic movement of the second elongated member along the inner channel of the first elongated member, the second elongated member defining a second set of holes longitudinally spaced from one another and laterally extending therethrough from one side to an opposite side of the second elongated member, the second elongated member including a second curved member extending longitudinally outwardly from the fourth longitudinal end for engaging a second end of an electrical panel, at least one of the first set of holes being in registration with at least one of the second set of holes to permit access therethrough by a rigid member such as a padlock to keep the first and second curved members a fixed distance relative to each other and thereby securely coupled to an electrical panel to prevent a door on a front face of the panel from being opened. 